Federal Judge Strikes Down Indiana Pornography Law

INDIANAPOLIS—On Tuesday, a federal court struck down a law that would have required sellers of "sexually explicit" material to register with the state, reports the Indianapolis Star. According to the law, House Enrolled Act 1042, any business selling sexually explicit material — the definition of which was broadly defined as anything with sexual content and potentially harmful to minors — would have had to pay $250 to register with the state. The policy was to take effect on Tuesday, July 1.

The Indianapolis Museum of Art joined with the ACLU and a number of businesses to challenge the law, which they felt violated First Amendment rights. U.S. District Judge Sarah Evans Barker ruled in favor of the ACLU, stating that the law is unconstitutional due to its vagueness.

Rep. Terry Goodin, D-Crothersville, claims he was not trying to censor free speech but rather fight pornography. He does not know whether the decision will be appealed, but said, "I'm ready to start all over... I'm just going to have to figure out a way to tighten [the law] up."